The Torch NFT holders became central figures in one of the most memorable community-led events in Ethereum's history. Created to mark the 10th anniversary of the Ethereum network, the Torch NFT became a symbol of global collaboration, decentralization, and the enduring strength of Ethereum's developer ecosystem.
What was the Torch NFT and why was it created?
The Ethereum Foundation launched the Torch NFT as part of a commemorative relay to celebrate Ethereum's 10-year milestone. It wasn't a commercial product or investment vehicle—it was a digital baton passed from hand to hand, highlighting key figures in Ethereum's growth story.
For 10 days leading up to the anniversary, the NFT was passed once every 24 hours, from one selected individual to the next. The journey was both symbolic and historical.
Who were the original Torch NFT holders?
The relay began with Joseph Lubin, Ethereum co-founder and ConsenSys founder. From there, it traveled through a curated lineup of influential developers, ecosystem builders, and advocates. Notably, Taiwan's Digital Minister Audrey Tang was among the recipients, reflecting the NFT's global ethos.
Each recipient added metadata or comments to the NFT before passing it on—creating a unique, time-stamped ledger of Ethereum's most prominent voices.
What happened when the original NFT was burned?
On July 30. 2025—the exact date of Ethereum's original launch—the Torch NFT was permanently burned. This act symbolized the end of Ethereum's first era and the beginning of a new chapter focused on scalability, modularity, and institutional adoption.
Following the burn, the Ethereum Foundation released a commemorative version of the NFT, allowing anyone to mint their own piece of this moment in history.
How many commemorative Torch NFTs were minted?
Over 780.000 tokens were minted by more than 660.000 unique wallet addresses. The NFT, sometimes called the "E Guardian Medal" by fans, was free to claim. This broad participation caused a noticeable spike in Ethereum network activity, with gas fees for the event totaling roughly 153.7 ETH, or $584.000.
What was the purpose behind this mass minting?
The commemorative mint was not about value speculation. The NFT wasn't listed on platforms like OpenSea during the original relay. Instead, the event emphasized inclusion and decentralized participation, allowing regular Ethereum users to own a digital artifact of the network's legacy.
Conclusion:
The Torch NFT project—both in its relay and commemorative phases—captured what makes Ethereum unique. From hand-picked influencers to everyday users, the event was a testament to Ethereum's decentralized values and its vibrant, global community.
